Characterization of magnetic Ni clusters on graphene scaffold after high vacuum annealing

Magnetic Ni nanoclusters were synthesized by electron beam deposition utilizing CVD graphene as a scaffold. The subsequent clusters were subjected to high vacuum (5-8 x10^-7 torr) annealing between 300 and 600 °C. The chemical stability, optical and morphological changes were characterized by X-ray photoemission microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy and magnetic measurement. Under ambient exposure, nickel nanoparticles were observed to be oxidized quickly, forming antiferromagnetic nickel oxide. Here, we report that the majority of the oxidized nickel is in non-stoichiometric form and can be reduced under high vacuum at temperature as low as 300 °C. Importantly, the resulting annealed clusters were relatively stable and no further oxidation was detectable after three weeks of air exposure at room temperature.